Avner Hershlag is best known publicly as the father of Natalie Portman, but his own life includes an accomplished career in reproductive medicine. He is an Israeli-born fertility specialist, reproductive endocrinologist, medical professor, researcher, and author. For more than three decades, he has worked with patients experiencing infertility while also contributing to medical education and scientific research.
His professional interests include in vitro fertilization, egg freezing, fertility preservation, donor-egg treatment, reproductive genetics, and preimplantation genetic testing. Away from medicine, he has maintained a relatively private family life with his wife, Shelley Stevens. His biography reflects medical achievement, academic dedication, cultural heritage, and a close relationship with his famous daughter.
Quick Bio of avner hershlag
| Quick Bio | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Dr. Avner Hershlag |
| Reported date of birth | September 12, 1951 |
| Age | 74 years old as of August 2026 |
| Birthplace | Israel; Jerusalem is reported by secondary sources |
| Nationality | Israeli-born |
| Profession | Fertility specialist, researcher, professor, and author |
| Education | Hebrew University–Hadassah Medical School |
| Medical specialty | Reproductive endocrinology and infertility |
| Relationship status | Married |
| Wife | Shelley Stevens, also known as Shelley Hershlag |
| Children | One daughter, Natalie Portman |
| Known for | Fertility medicine and being Natalie Portman’s father |
| Net worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Who Is Avner Hershlag?
Avner Hershlag is a physician specializing in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Although entertainment readers often recognize him as Natalie Portman’s father, he has earned an independent reputation through clinical work, research, teaching, and medical leadership. His career has focused on helping individuals and couples understand fertility problems and explore appropriate reproductive treatments.
He has worked with patients facing infertility, cancer treatment, genetic concerns, and age-related reproductive challenges. These situations often require careful communication alongside medical expertise. His work has therefore involved both advanced reproductive technology and the emotional realities patients experience while trying to start or expand their families.
Avner Hershlag’s Age and Date of Birth
The exact date of birth of Avner Hershlag has not been confirmed by his official university or hospital profiles. Several online biography databases report that he was born on September 12, 1951. If that date is accurate, he is 74 years old as of August 2026 and would celebrate his 75th birthday in September.
Because the reported date mainly appears on secondary websites, it should not be treated as fully verified. His professional profiles confirm that he was born and raised in Israel, but they do not publicly provide his birthday. This difference matters when presenting personal information accurately rather than repeating unsupported claims.
Birthplace and Early Life
Avner Hershlag was born in Israel, while several secondary sources identify Jerusalem as his birthplace. He spent his early life and completed his initial medical education in the country. His Israeli background has remained an important part of his family’s cultural identity, even after he relocated to the United States for advanced medical training.
Public information about his childhood is limited because he has rarely discussed his early personal life in interviews. Most available biographies focus on his education, medical appointments, and relationship with Natalie Portman. As a result, details about his childhood home, early interests, and school years remain largely private.
Parents, Siblings, and Family Heritage
The family of Avner Hershlag has roots in the European Jewish community. Accounts concerning Natalie Portman’s ancestry state that his parents came to Israel from Poland after World War II. Portman has also spoken about relatives on her father’s side who were killed during the Holocaust, making this history an important part of the family’s heritage.
Some genealogy websites identify his parents as Zvi Yehuda Hershlag and Mania Portman, although these names are not confirmed in his official medical profiles. There is also no dependable public information about his siblings. It remains unclear whether he has brothers or sisters because the family has kept such personal details out of the public spotlight.
Education and Medical Training
Avner Hershlag graduated from the Hebrew University–Hadassah Medical School in Jerusalem in 1977. After receiving his medical degree, he completed several years of general surgery residency training at Hadassah. This early surgical experience gave him a broad clinical foundation before he moved into obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive medicine.
He relocated to the United States in 1984 and completed an obstetrics and gynecology residency at George Washington University Medical Center. He later finished a reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellowship at the Yale School of Medicine in 1990, followed by board certification in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology.
Career as a Fertility Specialist
The career of Avner Hershlag has included patient care, medical leadership, university teaching, and fertility-program development. His areas of expertise include IVF, egg freezing, donor-egg treatment, fertility preservation, and reproductive genetic testing. He has also supported patients who needed to preserve fertility before undergoing chemotherapy or other serious medical treatments.
He spent many years at Northwell Health and served as chief of Northwell Health Fertility from 2011 to 2018. During this period, he contributed to programs involving genetic testing, egg donation, fertility preservation, and reproductive medicine. He also helped educate doctors preparing to specialize in reproductive endocrinology.
Academic and Professional Positions
Avner Hershlag has maintained strong connections with medical education throughout his career. Professional profiles have associated him with Island Fertility in Commack, New York, along with academic positions at Stony Brook University and the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. These appointments combine clinical experience with the training of future doctors.
His academic work has allowed him to share knowledge gained from decades of fertility practice. Teaching is particularly valuable in reproductive medicine because the field continues to develop through new genetic technologies, laboratory methods, and treatment options. His experience provides students and younger physicians with both scientific knowledge and practical insight.
Research and Medical Contributions
Research by Avner Hershlag has addressed infertility genetics, fertility preservation, IVF methods, cancer-related reproductive care, and the ethics of assisted reproduction. Institutional profiles credit him with more than 75 peer-reviewed papers and over 30 medical book chapters. His work often examines how scientific developments affect real patients and their reproductive choices.
He has written about fertility returning after stem-cell transplantation, human genome editing, preimplantation genetic testing, and genetic variants. A 2025 medical publication included him among researchers studying how changes in the classification of genetic variants may influence reproductive decisions. This reflects his continued interest in the relationship between genetics and fertility care.
Awards and Professional Recognition
Avner Hershlag has received recognition from professional organizations and medical-ranking groups. His profiles mention repeated inclusion among Castle Connolly Top Doctors and awards from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine between 2019 and 2021. These honors highlight his experience and professional standing within reproductive endocrinology.
He has also served on the board of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. The organization provides education, advocacy, and support for people experiencing infertility. His involvement demonstrates that his professional interests extend beyond clinical treatment to include public understanding, patient support, and improved access to reproductive healthcare.
Wife and Relationship Status
Avner Hershlag is married to Shelley Stevens, who is also known as Shelley Hershlag. She has been described as an American-born artist and a supportive influence in Natalie Portman’s life. The couple reportedly met at the Jewish Student Center at Ohio State University, where Shelley was selling tickets for a film.
After he returned to Israel, they maintained a long-distance relationship through letters and telephone calls. Shelley later visited Israel with her family, and the couple decided to marry. They reportedly held their wedding in Cincinnati, Ohio, although their exact wedding date has not been publicly confirmed.
Children and Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman is the only daughter of Avner Hershlag and Shelley Stevens. She was born in Jerusalem on June 9, 1981, under the name Natalie Hershlag, and later chose the surname Portman for her acting career.
Both parents remained closely involved when Natalie entered acting. During Léon: The Professional, they reportedly placed limits on mature dialogue and scenes involving their daughter. Portman has said her parents prioritized her safety and education instead of treating her acting career as a financial opportunity.
Grandchildren and Family Life
Avner Hershlag is the grandfather of Natalie Portman’s two children, Aleph and Amalia. The family does not share many details about their private relationships, but Natalie has spoken warmly about her parents’ influence. She has credited them with helping her remain grounded despite becoming internationally famous at a young age.
His public image suggests that family, education, and professional responsibility have remained central throughout his life. Although he has attended events with his daughter, he generally avoids celebrity publicity. His limited public appearances support the impression of a private person focused mainly on medicine and family.
Avner Hershlag as an Author
In addition to his medical career, Avner Hershlag wrote the novel Misconception, published in 2010. The medical thriller combines fertility treatment, genetics, politics, and ethical conflict. Its story follows a fertility specialist who becomes involved in a dangerous case connected to powerful political figures.
The novel reflects his professional familiarity with assisted reproduction and reproductive ethics. He once suggested that Natalie Portman could play the female lead in a possible screen adaptation. However, there is no confirmed evidence that a film based on the book is currently in production.
Height and Physical Appearance
No dependable source has confirmed the height or weight of Avner Hershlag. Some biography websites may publish exact measurements, but these figures are not supported by his medical profiles or direct statements. Providing a specific number would therefore risk presenting speculation as fact.
In public photographs, he appears to have a slim-to-average build, a receding or closely cropped hairline, and a professional sense of style. He is commonly seen wearing suits, formal jackets, or business-casual clothing at medical and family events.
Net Worth and Income Sources
The exact net worth of Avner Hershlag has not been publicly disclosed. No credible financial publication has documented his assets, salary, property, or investments. Estimates found on celebrity biography websites should be viewed cautiously because they are usually based on assumptions rather than verified financial records.
His likely income sources include fertility practice, medical leadership, teaching, research, consulting, speaking engagements, and possible royalties from Misconception. His daughter’s financial success should not be used to estimate his personal wealth because their careers and finances are separate.
Social Media and Latest Updates
His online activity is mainly professional, with accounts linked to platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Most of the content associated with his name highlights fertility care, medical education, research, and career-related accomplishments.
As of 2026, professional listings continue to connect him with fertility medicine and academic work in New York. There are no reliable reports that he has fully retired, experienced a major public health crisis, changed his marital status, or published another novel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Avner Hershlag?
Avner Hershlag is an Israeli-born reproductive endocrinologist, fertility specialist, medical professor, researcher, and author. He is also widely known as Natalie Portman’s father.
How old is Avner Hershlag?
Several secondary sources report that he was born on September 12, 1951, making him 74 years old as of August 2026. However, his official profiles do not confirm his birth date.
Who is Avner Hershlag’s wife?
He is married to Shelley Stevens, also known as Shelley Hershlag. She is an American-born artist and the mother of Natalie Portman.
What does Avner Hershlag do?
He specializes in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. His professional work includes IVF, egg freezing, fertility preservation, donor-egg treatment, and reproductive genetics.
What is Avner Hershlag’s net worth?
His exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed. His likely income sources include fertility treatment, teaching, research, consulting, speaking engagements, and book royalties.
Final Thoughts
Avner Hershlag is more than the father of a famous actress. He is an experienced fertility specialist whose career includes patient care, medical research, teaching, leadership, and writing. His contributions to IVF, fertility preservation, reproductive genetics, and infertility treatment form the strongest part of his public legacy.
Although some personal details remain unverified, his professional achievements are well documented. His life represents a combination of scientific dedication, family commitment, cultural heritage, and careful privacy. That balance makes his story interesting both to readers researching Natalie Portman’s family and those interested in reproductive medicine.
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